Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023

155 Supplementary provision about powers of entry

(1) This section applies where a person has a power to enter land conferred by section 152 or by a warrant under section 154.

(2) A person who intentionally obstructs a person exercising the power of entry commits an offence.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (2) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(4) If damage is caused to land or other property—

(a) in the exercise of the power of entry, or

(b) in making any survey for the purpose of which the power of entry was conferred,

a person suffering the damage may recover compensation from the person who authorised the entry.

(5) A claim for compensation under subsection (4) must be made in writing within 6 months beginning with the day the damage was caused (or if the damage was caused over more than one day, the last day it was caused).

(6) A person commits an offence if the person discloses information which the person obtained in the exercise of the power of entry, and which relates to a manufacturing process or trade secret, for a purpose other than that for which the person was authorised to enter the land.

(7) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (6) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, or both.

(8) This section does not apply to anything done by virtue of section 153(7) (entry on Crown land).